Landed in 1994, wants to return!!

[SDF001]

Hi, let me explain.

My family is from a visa-exempt country.

I came to Canada in 1994 as a landed immigrant with my parents. I was a kid then. The whole family returned home after just 1 month in Canada.

I once briefly visited again in 2013, by a car from USA. I was unaware of my PR status then and had no problem.

And here comes the eTA. I'm planning to visit again this summer for 3 weeks, with return air tickets booked. Got held in the eTA process, I was given the choice for a TD or to renounce PR.

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT I MIGHT COME TO PERMANENTLY RESIDE IN CANADA, maybe 5 years later with my wife and kid (both foreign nationals).

Misled by the info at CIC web site, I submitted my application to renounce PR!!!

My questions are:
1. If I enter with my visa-exempt passport and the IO does not report me about the residential obligation, can I still stay for 2 straight years to make good my PR status?(assuming I have not applied to renounce PR)
2. As in 1 above, but considering the application to renounce PR.
3. Should I stop the application to renounce PR?
4. Should I stop the application for eTA?
5. Will 3 and/or 4 affect my trip this year?

 

[Bs65]

You already submitted the renounce PR document ? If so too late to withdraw in my view.

Once you have submitted the renounce the ETa should come through in about a week.

Not sure now after 22 years of not meeting any residency even though you left as a minor so had no choice that you can do anything now to resurrect any residency obligation but others more qualified can comment.

For sure not as simple as landing and staying for 2 years given one of first things need to do would be get a PR card which might be a challenge explaining away 22 years absence. Thats assuming not flagged at the border for lack of PR residency which as the ETA process starts to come in may become a more frequent occurance . Travelling by plane without a pr card or prtd will also become difficult if not impossible as ETA rolls out.

A lot of people have found they were still PR without realising even after 20-30 years have passed, only finding out applying for an ETA where due to lack of residency they could not get a travel document so had to renounce if they wanted to travel.

 

[Rob_TO]

1. If I enter with my visa-exempt passport and the IO does not report me about the residential obligation, can I still stay for 2 straight years to make good my PR status?(assuming I have not applied to renounce PR)

Technically yes. Though you may find it hard to live 2 straight years in Canada without leaving, and to be here for 2+ years with no PR card until you would be allowed to apply to renew it. I assume you never got a SIN when you were here as a child. You would not be able to get a new SIN now with no PR card. so you couldn't work here for 2 years.

If you did have an old SIN, then it would be deactivated by now and you may have trouble re-activating it as you would need to explain your absence from Canada.

2. As in 1 above, but considering the application to renounce PR.

If you already applied to renounce your PR, I would consider your PR status now gone. Trying to suddenly stop the renouncement, may trigger some residency investigation as well.

As mentioned though, once your PR status is officially gone, getting an eTA and coming to Canada as visitor should be no problem.